desegregation of little rock central high school. friday night from american history tv's oral history series, interviews with prominent photojournalists documented major events throughout american history. watch american history tv this week in prime time on c-span3. >> today british prime minister theresa may answered questions from members in the house of commons on a range of topics including the brexit negotiations, mental health in affordable housing. >> questions at the prime minister. >> thank you mr. speaker. this morning isp had meetings wh ministerial colleagues and others and in addition to my duties in the south i shall have further such meetings later today. >> the prime minister will know that yesterday was mental health

day and mental health problems affect one in four people but only one [inaudible] spent on mental health services. [inaudible] [inaudible] with these cuts in demand and increasing when will the prime minister and the [inaudible] and promise research funding for mental health and psychological services? >> the honorable gentlemen is right about the importance we should be attaching to the issue of mental health. giving that it was a mental health day yesterday we are also doing much more in the area of mental health. in fact, more money is going into mental health. we are seeing more people in the

nhs being able to access and have treatment for better health but we also need to do is look at this issue more widely which is precisely why i have set up that we have [inaudible] to be able to work and know how to deal with those individuals in the schools who are suffering from mental health. there is more for us to do but this government is putting more money and isha taking more actin on mental health and has been taken by anyre government befor. >> the prime minister will note the financial and professional services in the uk is the largest source of tax revenue and our largest trade services. yesterday i met representatives of thatt type vector and they will pass on for the prime minister theret for support for that pragmatic and sensible

arrangement she has made to ensure that critical, legal and contractual continuity that that sets the need and that is vital to them as we leave the european union. as well as recognizing [inaudible] >> the honorable judgment raises a good point and we do need to build that bridge to allow time and adjustments to be made. that isar exactly what were doig and talking about implementation. that is why i said in my speech that together with our for our future partnership i'm sure our honorable menth will know that e just published a a paper on a future trade policy earlier this week and will continue to publish papers in the coming months. >> thank you mr. speaker. i hope the whole house will join me in paying tribute to the late

rodney [inaudible], former general secretary of unicef who died last week. he will be remembered for his warmth and esteem that was held for the labor movement and the community. more than that, mr. speaker, almost more than anyone else he made sure that the national minimum wage happened in this country and millions of workers are better off for the great work that rodney did during his life. can we say thank you ronnie for everything you did in your life. [cheering and applause] the rollout of universal credit is already causing death, poverty and homelessness. does the prime minister except that it would be irresponsible to press on regardless? first of all. >> we offer our condolences to ronnie andnd his friends and family on his death. he and i would probably never have agreed on very much in politics but obviously -- [laughter]

but obviously the role that he played, he played with commitment and dedication through his life. the right honorable gentlemen has asked me about universal credit. i think perhaps it is cdi worth recognizing why it is that we brought universal credit into place in the first place. what we want is a welfare system that provides a safety net for those who need it, that helps people get into the workplace, helps people to earn more and provides for themselves and their families. the system that we inherited did not do that. it was far too complicated, there were too many different sources of payments and especially, crucially those who earned more, too many of those who earned more found himself with less money in their pockets for too many people under labor it was they were better off on benefit. that is not the system we want. what we wantun is universal cret

which is simpler, more straightforward and makes sure that work always pays. [cheering and applause] >> mr. speaker, i wonder which planet the prime minister is on. mr.ri speaker, the citizens adve bureau describes universal credit as and i quote a disaster waiting to happen. based on tens of thousands of claimants they hadad made that conclusion. housing associations report an increase of about 50% [inaudible] can't prime minister and the dwp wake up to reality and halt this process? >> as i explained we have very good reasons for changing the system. yes, the dwp has been -- we have been listening to concerns that have been raised in relation to

the way in which universal has operated. changes will be made and for example, earlier the beginning of this year only 55% of people were getting their first payment on time and now that is over 80%. of course there is more for us to do -- of course there is more for us to do and that is why the secretary in the state department is working to monitor this and continue to ensure the performance increases but underlying this isrl a need to make sure that we have a system and make sure that work pays and that these are not better benefits. >> mr. speaker, the homing housing trust reports one 100% increase in the number of addictions. half of all counsel telnet oner universal credit or at least a monthiv in arrears in the rents. this weekend the former prime minister john major described universal credit and i quote as operationally messy, socially

unfair and unforgiving. he is right, isn't he? it's years behind schedule and forcing people to food banks, driving up evictions, leaving families and debt. can't prime minister see it? if the former prime minister could understand it why can't this one? >> i say to the right honorable gentlemen that the number of people on universal credit in arrears have fallen by one thir- [crowd boos] as i just said, in my previous answer to the right honorable gentlemen of course we recognize that the have been issues to address in the loading out of this particular credit, benefit. that is why we will be taking our time in doing it. the underlying reasons to move to universal credit is still the right one. we see more people getting into

work. there is the possibility for those people who are not in a position to be able to wait for that first payment and they are in need and if they are in need they can asksk for advance and e number of people getting anan advance cang increase. >> we recognize there are problems with it but the ip pr and the child policy action group estimated that another 200,000 children into poverty. last month apparently a dozen conservative mps wrote to the working pension secretary calling for reports and perhaps they should have listened to people like georginaon contacted me this week and i quote i court from georgina who says this: all summer we were left with no money to survive and it just stopped abruptly. we would have lost everything if it weren't for my family. others cannot rely on family and are facing eviction.

i asked the prime minister to show leadership, pause universal credit and stop driving poverty, debt and hopelessness because that is what it does. [cheering and applause] >> can i say that i would be happy to look at the case of georgina if he would like to send me those. [inaudible conversations] as i have just said and once again, i did actually refer to this in my previous answer is the right honorable gentlemen listen to it it is possible for those were any to get advance payment to thehe number of those getting advance payments have increased to 35% to the majority over 50%. we are seeing the system been approved and performanceaj is improving but let's just think about the labour party's record on this whole issue of welfare. under the labour party

1.4 million people spent most of the decade out of work. ... >> have a system that is failing ordinary working people. >> jeremy corbyn. >> mr. speaker, the last labour government lifted 1 million children out of poverty. gloucester city homes, mr. speaker, has evicted one in eight of all of its tenants because of universal credit.

the prime minister talks about helping the poorest, but the reality is a very, very different story. not only are people being driven into poverty but absurdly, mr. speaker, the universal credit help line costs claimants 55p per minute for the privilege of trying to get someone to help them claim what they believe they are entitled to. will the prime minister today show some humanity, intervene and make at least the helpline free? >> i have made it very clear that we continue to look at how we are dealing with this and ensuring that we get this system out in a way that actually is working for people. the performance is increasing and it is working because more people are getting into work on universal credit then work on jobseekers allowance.

[shouting] >> i do what people to be able to find work. i want people to be able to get better jobs, earn more, get on without government support. that's why it's so important that we help businesses to create jobs. perhaps when he stands up you would like to look on the fact that 3 million more jobs have been created due to a strong economy under a conservative government. >> mr. speaker, sadly, universal credit is only one of a string of failures of this government. everywhere you look it's the government in chaos. on theme most important issues facing this country it's a shambles. brexit negotiations made no progress. bombarding her and other workers facing redundancy. most working people worse off. young people pushed into record levels ofan debt. 1 million elderly people not getting essential care. our nhs at breaking point. mr. speaker,nt this government s

more interested in fighting amongst themselves abandoned solving these problems. [shouting] [shouting] mr. speaker, isn't it the case, isn't it the case, mr. speaker, that it the prime minister can't lead, she should leave? [cheers and applause] >> let me tell the right honorable jump in with a record of this government is. the deficit is down by two-thirds. 3 million more people in jobs. [shouting] 1.8 million more children in good outstanding schools. [shouting] more people are visiting a unity. more people people getting operations than ever before. [applause] there are record levels of funding into the nhs. there are record levels of

funding into our schools. what did we see about the labour party from its conference? what we saw -- [shouting] wait for it. >> order. members are becoming very, very overexcited. the response shall be heard. prime minister. >> what did we hear from labour conference. the labour conference -- [shouting] don't worry. what happened at labour's conference? first of all, first of all, shelter,r, shelter said that the labour parties housing policy with in-depth harming people on low income. labour's like ship council

rejected another of their housing policies. the equality and human rights commission said labour needs to establish that it is not a s racist party. [shouting] and the labour leader threatened to ban labour conferences because of freely expressed anti-semitism. that was all before the shadow chancellor admitted the labour government would bring a run on the pound and ordinary working people would pay the price. [shouting] >> heidi allen. >> thank you ver y much, mr. speaker. i fear that the more was not for me. i'm afraid i must return to the subject of universal credit.

perhaps the difference on this side of house and outside of house is we believe the transformative properties are going and we want to work there and work it will but we have to get it right. i think the secretary of state on monday to advertisement widely that it is available to thcleanse. many feel that more people take at those advances lustral to me that the inbuilt six-week wait just of the work. will the prime minister please consider meeting with me so i can explain to her why if we reduce the six-week wait will do a better job of supporting those just about managing families who are struggling to make ends meet and who have no savings to cover them over that time? >> my audible and makes an important point about the fundamental benefits of your social credit, but she's right of course and that's why the dwd is intended to look the performance and how it's operating. i'm happy to meet with my audible friends on this issue. we recognize him she make an advance payments.

of course as she said it's important those who need those funds are aware that and that's why it's not just about advertising but making sure that job center staff are trained on are being retained to ensure they are aware of what they can do to help people. in terms of the advance payments they can speak within people within five days or emergency on the same day. i'm happy to meet with my honorable friend. >> ian blackford. >> thank you, mr. speaker. if there was another eu referendum now, i know i would vote to remain. why has the prime minister not been straightforward about how she would vote? >> there is no second referendum. [applause] the people of the united kingdom voted and will be leaving the european union in march 2019.

>> ian blackford. >> thank you, mr. speaker. the prime minister can't answer a simple question. [shouting] i'm quite happy to wait. the reason the prime minister can't answer the simple question is because she is hamstrung by the parliamentary majority and a dividing party of right-wing brexit gears. mr. speaker,nd this morning -- >> order, order. mr. kerr, we're not having any tricksters here. ian blackford. >> thank you, mr. speaker. this morning chancellor philip hammond admitted that a cloud of uncertainty is hanging over the uk economy. the snp is the only party in this house which is united on this issue. we know that crashing out of the single market and the customs

union will cost 80,000 jobs in scotland and 2000 pounds per person. now is the time for leadership. will the prime minister come off the fence and recognize that, if we're to say this economy, we need to stay in the single market and the customs union? >> now is the time for the snp leadership to accept that to save jobs in scotland they did scotland remain part of the united kingdom. [applause] >> thank you, mr. speaker. following yesterdays announcement of over 2000 job losses at baeae systems, many hundreds of which are important in my constituency where very dedicated and highly skilled people work, , can the prime minister assured me she will continue to ensure she and her government will do everything she can to support export orders to saudi arabia and qatar but also support those dedicated workers by alternative employment and the wider than cash or economy?

>> my honorable friend is right. this is a very worrying time for systems occluding those in wharton in his constituency. he races raises two issues. i can reassuring the department of work and pensions will make sure it a work with people and it should have all the sporting you to look for new jobs. that will include the rapid response service which will help with training and information about r benefits. we will also continue to promote our world leading defense industry right across the globe so companies like bae systems jessica contracts for uk made equipment, just last month my right honorable friend that defence secretary signed a of intent withe qatar to meeting te country to the purchase of 24 typhoons and six hoxha bae. we will continue to promote these first-class products of first-class manufacturing such as in my audible friends constituency. we will also make sure support is given to those who do lose their job. >> prime minister, last week you

announced that you would find 25,000 extra socially rented homes over five years. the waiting list in brighton is already that. along with brighton by other local authority lewis district councils wanted to build more council houses. your policies will not help them because, because they're not limited by the open market but they are by the government arbitrary cap on borrowing and financing against housing stock. will she agree the conservative led lewis district labour that brighton that the cap on the housing revenue must be lifted to get councils building for britain against? >> i just point out to get audible jump with that i've made no announcement and have no policy on this matter. the prime minister. >> thank you, mr. speaker. what the honorable gentleman is referring to is the announcement we're putting 2 billion pounds extra into our successful affordable housing program. that brings it to over 9 billion dedicated entirely to creating

affordable homes. for every pound the government puts income housing associations raise a further six pounds. that means thousands more families get in the homes that they need and they can afford every single year over the next five years. this is a good announcement for the government. it means more people getting the homes that indeed theys would'e thought he would have welcomed it. >> mr. speaker, in my constituency, children as young as 12 have been labeled as transgender and prescribed potentially life altering sex change of drugs. as the prime minister agree with me the law needs to be tightened to prevent this potential mistreatment of vulnerable young people? >> my honorable friend raises what is a very sensitive issue. as he will be aware, obviously health is a default matter in wales. in england, the nhs is very strict guidelines regarding the prescriptions of the source of medications young people. they can only be described with

the agreement of a specialist in after a carefuld assessment of the individual, and generally only those patients who are 15 or older. i recognize the concernr my honorable friend has raised. >> in her radio interview the prime minister was pressed three times on what would be the position of eu nationals in the event of no deal. she was unable to answer, suggesting this was a technical issue. people do not live technical lives. they live in relationships, and jobs and in their children's schools. with the clock ticking and the possibility of a no deal brexit looming there, can't you reassure the 10,000 plus in my constituency who are eu residents exactly what their rights will be if there is no deal? >> first of all, i want to reemphasize, i've said before this house, that we value the contribution that eu citizens have made in this country and we want them to stay. that's why we made citizens rights one of the key issues,

one of the early issues that is being discussed in the negotiations that are currently taking place. if there is no deal and we are working to ensure we get a good deal, if there is no deal then obviously we will have to have arrangement with other member states about not just eu citizens but about uk citizens in those -- >> we will eat this record a prime minister's question program. you can watch it entirely at c-span.org. life now for president trump. live coverage on c-span2. ♪ [applause] thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. it's great to be back in pennsylvania with the proud men and women of the american trucking associations. [applause] we love pennsylvania, and we

love our great truckers. [applause] i also want to thank all of our wonderful members of congress who are here with us today. should i read their names? yes? then i will. representative lou barletta, great guy, running for governor. he's running for the senate. he's running for -- where he is lou? sorry, i heard he was running for governor but then i heard he was running for the senate. he's going to win. you are going to win big. you are going to win big, blue, good luck. a friend of my for a long time, representative mike kelly. thank you, mike. tom marino going to be the drug czar. he's going to do a great job. thank you, tom. will be amazing, the drug czar. patrick meehan.